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I <br />I <br />I <br />»«• <br />»• <br />I I <br />I < <br />M <br />t * <br />I <br />N <br />M <br />rt <br />GENERAL POLICIES FOR NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT <br />1. <br />2. <br />3. <br />4. <br />Orono will promote the formulation and active use of environmental <br />protection policies by other Lake Minnetonka area municipalities and <br />responsible government agencies. Even though Orono plays a key role in <br />the protection of Lake Minnetonka, permanent preservation of the quality of <br />Lake Minnetonka is impossible without coordinated policies and without <br />active implementation of proven protective measures. Environmental <br />enforcement may be difficult in the face of development pressures, but <br />without commitment and sacrifice, a nibbling effect will surely place the <br />goal beyond reach and beyond recoveiy. <br />Environmental protection policies will be utilized in the formation of all <br />other goals and policies in this CMP. Orono's commitment to environ ­ <br />mental quality is carried throughout each element in this comprehensive <br />plan, coloring the goals, policies and implementation practices in every facet <br />of municipal responsibility. <br />Development densit>' will be limited to a level which will not overload <br />the natural surface water drainage and filtration system. Urbanization <br />increases the speed and quantity of surface runoff while decreasing the water <br />quality. Developed land use densities will be determined by comparison <br />between known levels of volume and pollution generation and known <br />marshland capacity for ponding and nutrient assimilation. <br />Surface w ater runoff w ill be directed through the natural drainage <br />system. Direct runoff into the lake will be avoided and will be <br />prohibited whenever possible. The longer the routing of storm water <br />between source and the lake and the longer the duration of ponding in a <br />wetland, the more nutrients are assimilated and the more silt is settled. The <br />transfer of storm water runoff from one local watershed to another or <br />recycling water through the same marsh, will be pursued and encouraged as <br />a practical method for increasing the duration of water retention before <br />runoff enters the Lake. The result of extended retention w ill be improved <br />lake water quality. <br />Natural drainageways will be favored over artificial storm sew ers. Storm <br />sewers speed runoff and provide no natural filtration or nutrient assimilation. <br />Storm sewers will only be utilized in local flood prone areas or where there <br />is soil erosion insolvable by natural means. Whenever possible, storm sewer <br />outlets will be directed into marshland or natural drainageways and not <br />directly into the lake. Storm sewer systems will not be considered for new <br />developments or where satisfactory natural drainage systems already exist. <br />I’ <br />H <br />CMP 3A - 24